Inmate released by mistake charged in violent home invasion

Fredericton
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The province of New Brunswick will conduct a review of procedures in its correctional institutions after an inmate, released early in error, is alleged to have taken part in a violent robbery that resulted in the death of another suspect.

The announcement of the review was made on Friday by Robert Trevors, New Brunswick's Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. Trevors said an inmate was mistakenly released early on Oct. 15 but is now back in custody. He was arrested by police in Saint John on an unrelated matter on Nov. 4.

Said Trevors, "I regret to inform the public that an individual was released in error from the Saint John Regional Correctional Centre. The safety of the public is our primary concern at all times, and corrections staff are now reviewing the incident internally and working to ensure similar incidents do not happen in the future."

The review includes going over the records of the inmate and all other offenders at the correctional institution to insure their accuracy, similar examinations in the province's other correctional facilities and having managers review procedures so incidents such as this will not happen again.

The Public Safety Minister refused to name the inmate involved citing privacy concerns. But CBC identifies him as Ronald McCutcheon, 20. In September, McCutcheon was sentenced to nine months in jail after being convicted of 11 offences including fraudulent use of a credit card, mischief, breach of a court order and resisting arrest. He was released the following month.

According to the Saint John Police Force, officers were called to a home at 4:32 a.m. on Nov. 3. Two men, an 18-year-old and a 21-year-old, were found suffering from stab wounds. The younger man was taken to the Saint John Regional Hospital where he later died. The 21-year-old was taken to hospital and was listed in stable condition.

Police later determined a home invasion had taken place. The 18-year-old was a suspect in the crime while the 21-year-old was a resident of the home. Police do not believe the incident was a random act.

CTV News reported that two men were arrested. One faces a weapons charge while McCutcheon was charged with robbery. He remains in custody.